World

European Parliament Follows US Lead In Recognizing Venezuelan Opposition Leader As Interim President

FEDERICO PARRA/AFP/Getty Images

Daily Caller News Foundation logo
Font Size:

The European Parliament voted Thursday to recognize the Venezuelan opposition leader as the country’s legitimate interim president, following in the steps of the U.S., Canada and several Latin American countries.

Venezuelan National Assembly President Juan Guaido declared himself president on Jan. 23 in the capital city of Caracas amid nationwide protests demanding Socialist President Nicolas Maduro step down after years of economic collapse and political turmoil.

European Union lawmakers voted 439-104, with 88 abstentions, to officially recognize Maduro’s opponent as “the only legitimate interim president,” Reuters reported, a move that comes just over a week after U.S. President Donald Trump decided to do the same.

“The people of Venezuela have courageously spoken out against Maduro and his regime and demanded freedom and the rule of law,” Trump said in a statement. “I will continue to use the full weight of United States economic and diplomatic power to press for the restoration of Venezuelan democracy.”

The EU was slower than the U.S. to recognize Guaido, according to Reuters, as they weighed the consequences of setting a precedent regarding similar or future self-declarations.

“The leaders of Europe are sycophants, kneeling behind the policies of Donald Trump,” Maduro said Saturday, according to the report.

Maduro retaliated against Trump’s endorsement by announcing plans to close the U.S. embassy and consulates, severing diplomatic relations with the U.S. and expelling U.S. diplomatic personnel from the country. (RELATED: Venezuela’s Maduro Closing US Embassy, Consulates After Cutting Ties With US)

Opposition demonstrators take part in protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, called by opposition leader and self-proclaimed "acting president" Juan Guaido, near Parque Cristal, in Caracas on January 30, 2019. - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro hit out Wednesday at military "mercenaries" he says are conspiring to divide the armed forces and plot a coup as the opposition planned a new protest to force the socialist leader from power. (Photo by JUAN BARRETO / AFP)

Opposition demonstrators take part in protest against the government of President Nicolas Maduro, called by opposition leader and self-proclaimed “acting president” Juan Guaido, near Parque Cristal, in Caracas on January 30, 2019. (Photo by JUAN BARRETO / AFP)

Maduro sent a “message to the people of the United States” in a Facebook video posted Wednesday, asking for support in rejecting Trump’s interference and his attempt “to turn my Homeland into a ‘Vietnam War’ in Latin America.”

Trump made his first known phone call to Guiado Wednesday and reinforced his support for the opposition

Guaido reportedly thanked Trump for “the United States’ commitment to freedom and prosperity in Venezuela and the region.”

CARACAS, VENEZUELA - JANUARY 25: Juan Guaidó, who has appointed himself interim president speaks during a meeting with deputies, media and supporters organized by the National Assembly at Plaza Bolivar of Chacao on January 25, 2019 in Caracas, Venezuela. Opposition leader Juan Guido has self-proclaimed as interim President of Venezuela against Nicolas Maduro's government. Several countries accepted Guaidó as the legal ruler of Venezuela whereas others gave their support to Nicolás Maduro. (Photo by Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)

Juan Guaidó, who has appointed himself interim president speaks during a meeting with deputies, media and supporters organized by the National Assembly at Plaza Bolivar of Chacao on January 25, 2019 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Photo by Edilzon Gamez/Getty Images)

The U.S. slapped sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil monopoly PDVSA Monday in an effort to convince the socialist dictator Maduro to step down, and Trump warned Americans against traveling to the country “until further notice.”

Follow Hanna on Twitter

Email tips to hanna@dailycallernewsfoundation.org

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.